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Of the many unforgettable road trips in the world, the trip from Canada to Chile is definitely at the top of the list. Being able to travel from the western coast of Canada, down through the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the northwestern countries of South America before hitting Chile is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Of course, driving isn’t the only way to travel from Canada to Chile, and whether you decide to drive, fly or sail, there are some logistics to figure out first.

Why Travel to Chile

Chile is the narrowest country in the world, sitting right on the Ring of Fire. You'll find volcano-formed landscapes, the deserts of Patagonia and the mountains of the Andes as well as bustling cities like Santiago and Valparaiso. Chileans have contributed a lot to the world, whether it be wine, music or dance. Any trip to this country is bound to make you fall in love.

Road-Tripping From Canada to Chile

Those who are adventurous enough – and have a lot of time on their hands – can drive from Vancouver to Santiago. It’s a beautiful route across a network of highways that together form the 15,000-mile Pan-American Highway.

After driving a majority of the route in the United States along the coast of California, you'll eventually cross the border into Mexico. Continue to drive south, through Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, until you reach the Darien Gap, which is a section of wilderness in Panama that prevents drivers from going completely through to South America. From there, you'll need to leave the car, take a flight and continue your journey on the other side.

There are many sights to see along the way, such as the Mayan ruins in Guatemala, the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest. The entire journey is just a bit more than 6,000 miles. If you don’t want to drive yourself but still relish traveling by road, take buses from one place to another.

Things to Consider

While it might seem relatively simple to make this road trip, there are a lot of things to consider before you go. For one, crossing through countries means going through immigration and customs at each border, especially if you are bringing your own car. Each country has different requirements regarding tourist visas and how long you're allowed to stay, so it's important to check that information before making plans. For instance, Chile allows American citizens to stay for up to 90 days, which is actually quite a lot of time. However, other countries might not be so lenient.

Secondly, consider the safety of driving this route. One reason this road trip isn’t as common as, say, one through Europe, is that many of the main highways that go through Mexico and Central America and lead to South America are also major drug routes for cartels. While tourists have been generally safe driving on these roads, it’s something to keep in mind, and it might prevent you from driving a lot of hours at night.

Flying From Canada to Chile

If driving is too much of a hassle, then simply fly from Canada to Chile. Many airports in Canada have flights to Santiago. If you fly from Vancouver, choose from airlines such as American, Air Canada, United, Aeromexico and LATAM. The journey cost about $800.

Other Ways to Travel

For some travelers, driving takes way too long, but flying is way too short, and they want to see some sights along the way. One option is to drive for some portions of the trip, and fly for others. There are also cruises from Vancouver to Valparaiso, offering a relaxing trip, where you can see many sights on your way down. One cruise company that runs this route is the Holland America Line, which hosts the unique Inca Discovery Package. It’s an expensive journey, with rates starting at around $2,500 for a 23-night cruise. But it’s certainly a bang for your buck, as you’ll get to dock in several countries along the way.

About the Author

Hana LaRock is a freelance content writer from New York, currently living in Mexico. She has spent the last five years traveling the world and living abroad and has lived in South Korea and Israel. Hana has been writing about her travel experiences for several years and has been published in print magazines like Travel Ideas and Ensemble Vacations, as well as websites such as Tour Amigo, The Culture Trip, REI, and Orbitz. Hana has been to nearly 30 countries and counting. Through her experiences, she has learned to navigate the challenges that can come with visiting other countries and cultures. To learn more, visit her website at www.hanalarockwriting.com.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.